Maryland Building Code for Glass Railing

Maryland Building Code is the primary safety regulation that forms the backbone of construction work in the state. It guides new and renovation construction work based on international building safety compliance guidelines.

This documentation covers glass railing design and installation. In particular, it covers crucial safety regulations, including glass panel and guardrail specifications for frameless glass railings.

This code also defines essential glass railing requirements when used for pool enclosures. As such, this article goes over all the critical points of the Maryland Building Code for glass railings.

It also highlights common code glass railing violations and how to avoid them.

What is the Maryland Building Code

The Maryland Building Code governs installation and construction work for new and existing buildings across the state. Adopted on May 29, 2023, this documentation is a mirror of the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with some special amendments.

It covers building construction, structural design, occupancy classification, and more.  Furthermore, this building code has specific building safety compliance guidelines for the design and installation of safe framed and frameless glass railings for decks, balconies, mezzanines, and other elevated platforms.

About Frameless Glass Railings

Most new and renovation projects are opting for frameless glass railings due to their unique design and appeal. These guardrails not only offer support and protection but also provide a minimalist and sleek design perfect for contemporary settings.

These glass railing systems allow natural sunlight to permeate through indoor spaces. Furthermore, these glass guardrails make smaller locations feel bigger and allow unobstructed views when used outdoors.

In general, guardrails may be necessary for many elevated indoor and outdoor platforms with opensides, including stairways, balconies, terraces, mezzanines, patios, and decks. The threshold for railing requirement by the Maryland Building Code is highlighted below.

• All indoor and outdoor elevated platforms mentioned earlier must have frameless glass railings or equivalent guardrails if the surfaces are higher than 762 mm (30 inches) above adjacent walking areas.
• Except in industrial occupancies or other special cases, glass deck railings and other guardrails must not have openings wider than 100 mm (4 inches). This safety regulation prevents children from sticking their heads and falling from heights.

Frameless Glass System Requirements

This section discusses frameless glass system requirements that ensure compliance with safety regulations as detailed in the Maryland Building Code. Specifically, guardrail height and glass panel specifications for frameless glass railings are presented.

It also highlights pool enclosure requirements, which prevent unsupervised access to swimming areas.

Guardrail Height Requirements

The height of the guardrail is an essential requirement for frameless glass railings. It is a compliance guideline that allows safe access to decks, staircases, balconies, and similar platforms without fear of falling.

Here are the standard guardrail height requirements specified in the Maryland Building Code.

• All public, commercial, and residential buildings are expected to have frameless glass railings or similar guardrails with a minimum height of 1067 mm (42 inches).
• Buildings categorized as individual dwelling buildings under groups R-2 and R-3 may have glass railings with a height of 914 mm (36 inches).

Glass Panel Requirements

Normal glass panels cannot be used for frameless glass railings. Instead, the Maryland Building Code provides detailed requirements for glazing as follows.

• The glass used for frameless glass railing should be laminated glass made of fully tempered or heat-strengthened glass. This glass should also comply with Category II of CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201 or Class A of ANSI Z97.1.
• Single tempered glass that conforms with Category II of CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201 or Class A of ANSI Z97.1 can be used if the railing is located above a location where falling glass does not pose any risk to users.
• Frameless glass railings must have a minimum thickness of 12 mm (0.5 inches).
• Glass panels used in guardrails must be free of all physical defects. However, there is no restriction on color, tint, or shade for glazing.

Pool Enclosure Requirements

Pools, spas, and other recreational water bodies are fun but pose significant risks when carelessly managed. As such, the Maryland Building Code requires the placement of enclosures that limit access to children and unauthorized users.

To ensure safety, below-ground and above-ground pools must have enclosures with the following requirements.

• Frameless glass railings and other guardrails used as pool enclosure must be at least 1219 mm (48 inches) high.
• The opening between the glass panel and supporting hardware should not be wider than 100 mm (4 inches). However, the space between the bottom of the fencing and the ground should not exceed 50 mm (2 inches).
• Self-latching and self-closing devices must be installed on all gates that lead into swimming areas.
• Glass panels used for frameless railings should be at least 12 mm (0.6 inches). However, thicker panels may be required in some specific counties within the state.

Common Frameless Glass Railing Code Violations

Frameless glass railings can elevate any indoor or outdoor space. However, noncompliance with the Maryland Building Code can be costly, leading to fines, injuries, or even fatalities.

Here are some common frameless glass railing code violations and how to avoid them.

• Using annealed glass makes frameless glass railings weak and susceptible to breakage. To avoid this, you should only use safety glass that is laminated heat-strengthened or fully tempered glass panel, which complies with Class A of ANSI Z97.1 or Category II of CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201.
• A common method of cutting the overall cost of frameless glass railings involves using a glass panel that is less than 12 mm (0.5 inches). Using substandard glazing lowers load-carrying capacity, leading to easy breakage and injury.
• Similarly, designing and installing glass railings lower than the recommended height of 1067 mm (42 inches) increases the risk of falling. However, some residential single-dwelling homes can have railings less than 914 mm (36 inches).
• Installing glass railings without knowing the structural integrity of the mounting surface can sometimes prove costly. To limit the likelihood of structural failure, installers should ensure the mounting surface is capable of anchoring frameless glass railings.
• Individuals who live in remote locations may decide to install glass railings without obtaining the required permits. The lack of a permit and subsequent inspections may lead to future sanctions or fines when the authorities find out.

Conclusion

Construction and installation work is defined by the Maryland Building Code. It governs frameless glass railing design and installation for the safe use of elevated platforms.

In addition, it specifies the glass railing requirement necessary for safety, which includes railing height, glass panel, and pool enclosure specifications. Likewise, compliance with these safety regulations keeps guardrails secure.

FAQs for Maryland Building Code for Glass Railing

Where is tempered glass required?

Tempered glass is required for glass railings, windows, and doors. In some cases, laminated tempered glass may be required for additional safety.

Do glass railings need a top rail?

Top rails are not always required for glass railings except in some special cases.

What is the minimum height for a glass railing?

The minimum height for glass railings is 1067 mm (42 inches). However, some special cases exist, which allow lower-height railings.